to meet the seals of Somme bay with Bernard, nature guide 'Qualinat'

Somme bay: seals on sandbanks

Bernard nature guide

a day of big tide in Somme bay @lesbaladeux

The Somme bay hosts the largest french colony of seals that take advantage of the low tide to rest on the sandbanks. It's is the best time to meet a part of the 190 grey seals and 650
common seals.
Observation outings are fonction, each day, of low tide hour. Consult the CALENDER to know the days and times of departure to go to "A la
rencontre des hôtes de la baie"

Accompanied by Bernard, nature guide qualified Qualinat label, passionate about seals, go out to meet the common seals and grey seals of the Somme bay.
The walk lasting 2h30/3h00 will not fail to enchant you.

phoque baie de Somme - phoque baie de Somme

phoque baie de Somme - phoque baie de Somme

Seals, hosts of Somme bay : the seals bay ...

phoque baie de Somme - phoque baie de Somme

since very long time, the seals tolerate us and welcome us to their territories. Human stupidity went so far that they almost disappeared from our coasts. Today as yesterday, we go at their
home when we are going to observe them at the Hourdel or elsewhere on our shores. We are their guests and as such we must respect them hence the name of my walk: "at the meet of bay
Hosts".
From April to October, "Les Balad'eux" brings you to meet the largest colony of common seals and grey seals of France as well as grey seals that have joined them for a few years. From the
Hourdel, starting point in the Somme Bay, I make you discover their history, their rhythm of life ... and thus participate in their safeguarding and protection. Depending on the season, birds
and plants (edible) are also observed and studied.

phoque baie de Somme - phoque baie de Somme

phoque baie de Somme - phoque baie de Somme

The walk …

phoque baie de Somme - phoque baie de Somme

on the "route blanche" in Hourdel, a ray of sunshine illuminates the bay that awaits us under its canopy of lights at every moment different and always shimmering. On the horizon, on the
other bay side, the Crotoy, the Marquenterre park. A small breeze invites us to follow its breath towards over there to the seafront. Its the beginning of the adventure. She invites us into
the dune covered with known plants with often unknown virtues. Our stroll brings us on the pebble cord, "the blue gold", before descending on the foreshore still wet that our companion the
breeze tries to dry. Its the moment of a first observation of the sirens of the bay. We can see them, small black dots on the sandbanks, banks of the river that seeks, lazily, to reach the
sea. The lights, the breath of Aeolus and a few pinchs of dry sand carried by him indicate us the path to follow to say hello to the seals. One, two, sometimes three intermediate stops before
reaching the ultimate, one that will leave you all the time to observe, to photograph the hosts of the bay. The guide will make you profit from his knowledge of the environment where you
evolve. During these magical moments, in front of this immensity, the dream settles until the moment we have to come back to the reality and return. You will observe seals with long sight. At
this distance, difficult to make good shots, unless equipped with a super telephoto lens. Thanks to the material put at your disposal, you you can go back with your photos. All you need is an
SD card. On the way back we will stop in the small cove where salicorne and "pig ears" are waiting to meet you to be tasted . Before leaving, we will taste a cake made by Françoise,
accompanied by an herbal tea.